Utility bevel structure



. w. THMAs UTILITY BEVEL STRUCTURE Fled'May 27, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jan. 2l, 1947. w, THQMAS UTILITY BEVEL STRUCTURE Filed lay 27. 1945 :s sheets-sheet 2 Jan. 2l, 1947. w. THOMAS 7 2,414,777

UTILITY- BEVEL STRUCTUREv Filed May 27, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Wm, Zma

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Patented Jan. 2l, 1947 UNITED STATE S PATENT .OFFICE UTILITY REVEL STRUCTURE Y' William Thomas, San Francisco, Calif. Application May 27, 1943, Serial No. .488,730

2 Claims.

This invention relates to a utility bevel structure and it aims to provide a novel bevel and mounting therefor.

It is particularly aimed to provide a plate adapted to be suitably supported, in combination with a bevel and readily operable clamp means to secure the bevel at desired locations on the table.

Further, it is aimed to provide a structure with which a peep-sight telescope may coact and in which the plate may be effectively mounted on a tripod, and a structure in connection with which a compass and a bevel may be operatively associated and interchangeably positioned.

rThe present bevel structure is primarily adapted for use as a substitute for a regular level on preliminary or other layout work especially since it is light in weight and can be `carried in a small handbag or case. It denes altitudes, inclinations, declinations and also horizontal posi- `tions and is useful for constructions, buildings,

preliminary surveying, mine surveys, prospectors claims and the like, and when stripped of all accessories, is still a level which may be used for shop or office work. The structure maylbe used from the top of a hill or building and also from the side of a hill or building, or straight down as against altitudes and the horizontal only. rihe bevel is extremely useful when it is impossible to lay out horizontally due to obstructions or other reasons.

, The more specific objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the description following taken in connection with accompanying drawings illustrating an operative embodiment.

In said drawings: A

Figure 1 is a View in elevation of the utility bevel and associated parts supported on a tripod;

Figure 2 is an elevation of the upper part of Figure 1 taken at a right angle thereto;

Figure V3 is a view primarily in top plan;

Figure 4 is an elevation of the bevel in position for use in connection with a declivity;

Figure 5 is a detail section taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 2;

Figure 6 is a detail section taken on the line 6 6 of Figure 5;

Figure 7 is an elevation showing the bevel in connection with a modied form of table:

Figure 8 is a plan View of the parts of Figure 7, With the telescope removed;

Figure 9 is a vertical section taken on the line 9 9 of Figure 8; Y

Figure 10 is a view in elevation of a modified eli) form, showing its use in finding double angles; and

Figure 1l is an elevation of the structure o f Figure 10 showing the parts in a different posi.- ticn and taken at a right angle thereto. l

Referring specifically to the drawings, and first to the form of Figures 1 to 6, I employ a bevel consisting of a pair of main blades lli, in spacedapart relation, and which are angular in cross section, as best shown in Figure 1. Such blades have'at one end a connecting bolt H of conventional form, on which an auxiliary blade l2, preferably hat, is pivotally mounted, and by means of which it isl adapted to be clamped, between the blades le in parallelism therewith, or at any desired angle with respect thereto. These blades i@ and i2 may be calibrated suitably, if desired, or calibrations may be omitted.

Either or both of the blades l0 may have a longitudinal slot i3 extending inwardly from one end thereof and removably accommodating a T- head Iii carrying a conventional spirit level I5.

Said slots I3 also removably and slidably uphold a T-head Hi of a stud Il, as best seen in Figure 9, which is square or otherwise non-circular in cross-section and on which at'different angles a Ydisc-shaped tting I8 is removably applicable at various angles by means of a socket I 9.. In turn the tting IB has a socket or opening at 2e which removably receives in different positions a lug 2i depending from a compass 22a of conventional construction. The stud or lug 2| is preferably square or otherwise non-circular in crosssection and the opening Z0 is shaped to correspond. The Aconstruction described and the mounting with respect to the level l5 and com,- pass 22a enable positioning thereof at various aduiustments; for instance, with their upper faces parallel with the upper edge of the main blades i i?, or with such faces at a right angle thereto as contrasted in Figures 2 and 4.

Associated with the auxiliary blade I2 is a conventional peep-sight telescope 22 preferably having crossed wires as a reticule at 23, at the sighting end. This telescope is disposed in parallelism on the auxiliary blade I2 and optionally used with or removed therefrom. The telescope 22 is attached to the auxiliary blade I2 in adjusted position by the engagement of clasped arms 24, arranged to spring slightly toward each other and having inward projections 25 disposable and slidable in grooves 26, arranged longitudinally of the auxiliary blade l2 and open at one end thereof.

In order operatively to mount the bevel described and its associated parts I provide a novel the supporting plate or table as at 21, the same having depending spaced lugs 28 connected by a conventional bolt and wing nut fastening at 29. Disposed between the lugs 28 is a bar 30 of a socket 3|, open at its lower end. The fastening 29 passes through the bar 3U and'is operable to clamp the bar 30 between the lugs 28 and the plate at any desired angle. Socket 3l is adapted to receive the central standard 32 of a conventional tripodl generally suggested at 33, a screw 34 being used detachably but rigidly to secure the socket 3l on the standard 32.

The bevel and associated parts are adapted to be clamped detachably to the Ytable or plate 2l, in the most advantageous position according to the work in hand and preferably by detachable clamps or clasps generally designated C. These clasps consist of two levers 35 for example, pivoted together at 36, engageable with the upper surfaces of the lower iianges of the blades it and undersurfaces of the plate or table 2'?, under urgency of expansive springs 31 disposed between the handle or grip portions of the clamps or clasps. I Y

Ihe bevel may be used tor various purposes and' in various relations. For instance, as shown in Figure 2 it is used for altitude work. Also, as

in Figure 4 the parts are adjusted to the position for declivity work.

lIn Figures l and 8 I show a modified form of I table or plate 2l', the same in this instance being designated 2'. In lieu of `two lugs 28 I employ a single lug at 28', preferably disposing it excentrically. A conventional fastening 29 isrused adjustably to fasten the tablesv or plate 2l to the upper end of an upright 3B having' a socket 3l' corresponding to that at 3b whereby, by means of a screw 34', it may be fastened detachably to a standard 32 of a tripod, which standard and tripod may be exactly as shown in the preceding form. It will be understood that'the bevel and all associated parts attached to or supported'on the plate or table 2l correspond to -those described in connection with 'the preceding gures and have the same reference characters applied thereto.

A further modified form is shown in Figure 1l where the parts are positioned for use as an inclin'ometer.

rst form but mount the same for adjustment or movement from a plurality of axes with respect to the tripod standard which may be that at 32 in the rst form. The lugs 23 may be fastened adjustably by a conventional bolt 38 to an intermediate block or link 39, which in turn As 'such an instrument, the tele-- scope22 is not used. I use the plate 2l as in the is pivotally and adjustably clamped by means of a conventional bolt te, to an upright il on a socket d2, fastened by means oi a screw 43 to the standard s2. The parts thus are adjustable from the axes of the bolts and 4s, which are disposed at right angles to each other, both serving as pivots and as clamps.

As shown in Figure 10, I use the modified structure of Figure ,l1 in connection witli the peepight telescope 22, in a manner which enables me easily to iind double angles. One example of such use would be in measuring the angle or azimuth of two or more objects relatively to a base point by use of the compass 22a, and by use of the level iii with the bevel and telescope to measure the angle of incline or declivity between the base point and objects.

The various parts in all forms of the invention may be made of a material which is completely non-magnetic cr otherwise, as preferred; for instance, made' of any suitable plastic, wood, non-magnetic material, steel, or other metal.

Also, I may use in connection with the structure any suitable plumb bob, containing the same when not in use, for example, in the Standard 32 which is hollow for such purpose. rThe plumb bob may be suspended in an opening in the plate 2l or 21", if desired, or, when the bolt Il is vertically disposed, may be suspended in an axial opening in such bolt or otherwise from any of the part-s used, according to the work. in hand. l

Various changes may be resorted to provided that they fall within the spirit and scope of `the invention.

I claim as my invention:

`1. A device of the. class described comprising a bevel for, use `as a substitute for a regular level, the bevel'having a longitudinally extending groove in one blade thereof, a non-circular stud having a T-head positioned and adjustable along said slot, a fitting having a socket engageable with said stud, said tting also having'an opening adapted to receive a supporting lugv of a conipass or the like. i

2. Ar structure of the class described comprising a bevel for use as a substitute for a regular level, the bevel having opposed blades of angular form in cross'section providing base flanges, a blade pivotally secured between said first Anientioned yblades`,`an approximately horizontal plate on which the rst mentioned blades are vdisposed, and removable clamp elements gripping the base iianges of the first mentioned blades and the plate.

WILLIAM 'IEDE/IAS. 

